SWIC Blue Storm men’s basketball to receive an award for over 1,000 victories

February 20, 2020

The Southwestern Illinois College Blue Storm men’s basketball team, previously known as the Belleville Area College Dutchmen, has won more than 1,000 games since its first season in 1954-55. On Monday, Feb. 24 the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association will honor SWIC Blue Storm with an award for this achievement.

IBCA Hall of Fame Chairman and a member of the IBCA board of directors Mark Kleemann will present the award at the game.

The IBCA recognizes SWIC Blue Storm as one of only a few Illinois community college men’s basketball programs that have surpassed the 1,000 victory plateau. Currently, the National Junior College Athletic Association D-I SWIC (SWIC Blue Storm, BAC Dutchmen) team, has won 1,128 games since 1954-55; captured 14 post season appearances in championship play since 1969-70; won seven state and regional titles and won four trips to national tournaments.

“The victory doesn’t belong to me – it belongs to the students, the college and the community,” said SWIC Blue Storm Coach and NJCAA 2002 Hall of Fame inductee Jay Harrington. “I am very fortunate to have worked for one college for so many years. This is a testament to the college and its commitment to the Athletic program.”

The IBCA represents all of Illinois basketball at the junior high, high school, and the collegiate levels. Each year, the IBCA honors individuals with annual Hall of Fame inductions and Coach of the Year selections. In order to recognize school and team achievements, the IBCA honors basketball programs that have earned only the highest levels of success.

To check out the Blue Storm 2019-20 schedule, visit swic.edu/athletics.

To support Blue Storm Athletic Scholarships, visit thankyou.swic.edu.

High School Students Win Big in Academic Challenge at SWIC

March 5, 2020

By Jim Haverstick

Students from 14 regional high schools demonstrated their talents in a variety of academic subjects during the Academic Challenge held recently at the Southwestern Illinois College’s Belleville Campus.

Students filled the college’s Varsity Gym to take timed tests in math, English, chemistry, physics, biology, engineering graphics and computer science.

Competitors worked both as individuals and as teams with their schools. The top two individuals and the top two teams within each division earned the chance to go on to compete at the sectional level.

Each high school competed in a division based upon the size of their student population.

The 300 Division included schools with 300 or fewer students. The 700 Division included schools with 300-700 students. The 1,500 Division included schools with 700 to 1,500 students. The Unlimited Division included schools with more than 1,500 students.

Individuals from the 300 and 700 divisions competed against one another in each subject, as did students in the 1,500 and unlimited divisions. Entire schools competed against each other based upon their division only.

Listed below are the team and individual achievements and results:

Team Results for Division: 300

First Place: Gibault Catholic High School

Second Place: Steeleville High School

Third Place: Dupo High School

Fourth Place: Governor French Academy

Fifth Place: Lebanon High School

Team Results for Division: 700

First Place: Red Bud High School

Second Place: Freeburg Community High School

Third Place: Columbia High School

Fourth Place: Sparta High School

Team Results for Division: 1500

First Place: Triad High School

Second Place: Waterloo High School

Third Place: Mascoutah High School

Team Results for Division: Unlimited

First Place: O’Fallon High School

Second Place: Granite City High School

Division: 300 — Biology

First Place: Hannah Gundlach, Gibault Catholic High School

Second Place: Nick Vonderheide, Gibault Catholic High School

Third Place: Jacob Verschueren, Steeleville High School

Division: 700 — Biology

First Place: Irelynne Loesche, Freeburg Community High School

Second Place: Anna Miller, Freeburg Community High School

Third Place: Chloe Janssen, Freeburg Community High School

Third Place: Jordan Mirly, Freeburg Community High School

Division: 1500 — Biology

First Place: Ben Kelley, Triad High School

First Place: Maddie Valerius, Waterloo High School

Second Place: Emily Williams, Waterloo High School

Third Place: Gillian Rockwell, Triad High School

Division: Unlimited — Biology

First Place: Jen Zhao, O’Fallon High School

Second Place: Wynne Radcliffe, O’Fallon High School

Third Place: Milee Patel, O’Fallon High School

Division: 300 — Chemistry

First Place: Spencer Biske, Gibault Catholic High School

Second Place: Melanie Rueter, Gibault Catholic High School

Third Place: Bridget Sampson, Lebanon High School

Division: 700 — Chemistry

First Place: Josh Birke, Red Bud High School

Second Place: Corey Patton, Freeburg Community High School

Third Place: Chris Patton, Freeburg Community High School

Division: 1500 — Chemistry

First Place: Caleb Rutz, Triad High School

Second Place: Sandra Garcia-Lopez, Triad High School

Third Place: Gabe Lewis, Waterloo High School

Division: Unlimited — Chemistry

First Place: Tyler McLeland, O’Fallon High School

First Place: Faith Yeargin, O’Fallon High School

Second Place: Trinity Choice, O’Fallon High School

Second Place: Grace Clinton, O’Fallon High School

Third Place: Kaylee McKinzie, Granite City High School

Division: 300 — Computer Science

First Place: Tanner Allison, Steeleville High School

Second Place: Bree OGuinn, Dupo High School

Third Place: Noah Newton, Gibault Catholic High School

Division: 700 — Computer Science

First Place: Dylan Roscow, Red Bud High School

Second Place: Eric Kuebler, Columbia High School

Third Place: Zachary Sutton, Red Bud High School

Division: 1500 — Computer Science

First Place: Greyson Rockwell, Triad High School

Second Place: Jacob Earick, Triad High School

Division: Unlimited — Computer Science

First Place: Anthony Bragg, O’Fallon High School

Second Place: Alonzo Williams, O’Fallon High School

Third Place: Hope Shepherd, Granite City High School

Division: 300 — Engineering Graphics

First Place: Noah Newton, Gibault Catholic High School

Second Place: Colin Berry, Lebanon High School

Third Place: Nick Vonderheide, Gibault Catholic High School

Third Place: Kaylee Luehr, Steeleville High School

Division: 700 — Engineering Graphics

First Place: Ben DeRousse, Red Bud High School

DSecond Place: Ethan Herrington, Freeburg Community High School

Third Place: George McDonald, Freeburg Community High School

Division: 1500 — Engineering Graphics

First Place: Nick Braun, Triad High School

Second Place: Caleb Rutz, Triad High School

Second Place: Connor Groves, Waterloo High School

Third Place : Joshua Raffaelle, Triad High School

Division: Unlimited — Engineering Graphics

First Place: Kate Dunn, O’Fallon High School

Division: 300 — English

First Place: Hannah Gundlach, Gibault Catholic High School

Second Place: Bridget Sampson, Lebanon High School

Third Place: Catie Vincent, Governor French Academy

Third Place: Ava Schwartzkopf, Steeleville High School

Division: 700 — English

First Place: Nick Prindiville, Columbia High School

Second Place: Emma Groetecke, Columbia High School

Third Place: Alycie Caya, Columbia High School

Division: 1500 — English

First Place: Ben Kelley, Triad High School

Second Place: Ian James, Triad High School

Second Place: Samantha Evanoff, Triad High School

Third Place: Ella Mostoller, Mascoutah High School

Third Place: Eddie Heinen, Waterloo High School

Division: Unlimited — English

First Place: Jen Zhao, O’Fallon High School

Second Place: Wynne Radcliffe, O’Fallon High School

Third Place: Rebecca Loftus, Granite City High School

Division: 300 — Mathematics

First Place: Spencer Biske, Gibault Catholic High Scchool

Second Place: Josh Eichholz, Gibault Catholic High Scchool

Third Place: John Stewart, Governor French Academy

Division: 700 — Mathematics

First Place: Dylan Roscow, Red Bud High School

Second Place: Eric Kuebler, Columbia High School

Third Place: Jason Pfannebecker, Red Bud High School

Division: 1500 — Mathematics

First Place: Gabe Lewis, Waterloo High School

Second Place: Spencer James, Triad High School

Third Place: Silas Angell, Mascoutah High School

Division: Unlimited — Mathematics

First Place: Grant George, O’Fallon High School

Second Place: Tyler McLeland, O’Fallon High School

Third Place: Grace Clinton, O’Fallon High School

Division: 300 — Physics

First Place: Josh Eichholz, Gibault Catholic High Scchool

Second Place: Sam Berkley, Governor French Academy

Third Place: Alex Gomez, Gibault Catholic High Scchool

Third Place: John Stewart, Governor French Academy

Division: 700 — Physics

First Place: Ethan Sturm, Columbia High School

Second Place: Chris Patton, Freeburg Community High School

Second Place: Josh Birke, Red Bud High School

Third Place: Tristan Oestreich, Columbia High School

Third Place: Caleb Probst, Columbia High School

Third Place: Carter Schnaus, Columbia High School

Third Place: Jason Pfannebecker, Red Bud High School

Third Place: Zachary Sutton, Red Bud High School

Division: 1500 — Physics

First Place: Ian James, Triad High School

Second Place: Garrett Barksdale, Waterloo High School

Third Place: Claire Doll, Triad High School

Division: Unlimited — Physics

First place: Grant George, O’Fallon High School

Second Place: Luke Sheerin, O’Fallon High School

Third Place: Anthony Bragg, O’Fallon High School

For more information about the Academic Challenge, call the SWIC Math department at 618-235-2700, ext. 5149, or toll free at 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5149.

RESCHEDULED: Award-Winning Step Team “Gentleman of Vision” to Perform at SWIC Feb 24

February 5, 2020

Experience the award-winning footwork of the “Gentleman of Vision” step team at Southwestern Illinois College. Watch and listen to a live performance of percussive dance in which the performer’s entire body is used as an instrument to produce complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps, spoken word and hand claps.

The show will take place during the halftime of the SWIC men’s basketball game on Monday, Feb. 24 in the SWIC Belleville Campus Main Complex Varsity Gym, 2500 Carlyle Ave. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are FREE with a SWIC student ID, $2 for youth and $5 for adults, which must be purchased at the event.

The Gentleman of Vision team was founded in 2009 by Marlon Wharton and the late Paul Albea on the campus of Riverview Gardens High School in St. Louis. Both Wharton and Albea saw an increasing and alarming need to address the issues and concerns of young socioeconomically disadvantaged males.

“Gentlemen of Vision shapes and molds young men into positive, productive professionals through mentoring,” says Wharton.

The mission of the group and organization is to prepare disadvantaged males to successfully complete high school through demonstrating superior leadership skills, academic excellence, community service, and career readiness in order to successfully transition into higher education or trade.

For more information on the Gentleman of Vision visit gentlemenofvision.org. The event is sponsored by the SWIC Diversity & Inclusion Committee. For more information, contact College Activities at 618-235-2700, ext. 5205.

SWIC event to examine life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Feb. 7

January 31, 2020

American civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be honored at a special in-depth presentation about his life and legacy. The educational and inspirational program titled, “I Have a Dream: A King’s Journey” will be presented by Respect Academy founder and president Marcus “Dr. Respect” Gentry.

The program will be held on Friday, Feb. 7 at the Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Campus Main Complex Theatre, 2500 Carlyle Ave. An hors d’oeuvres reception will be held at 6:15 p.m. outside the theatre and the program starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the SWIC Belleville Campus College Activities office, room 1246.

Within his career, Gentry develops and delivers programs that enhance personal and professional growth, empowerment and leadership; builds habits of success; improves organizational performance; and increases workplace awareness through educational training. He is an innovative entrepreneur who has worked in the fields of training, consulting and social services for more than 30 years.

Gentry has spent the last several years dedicated to creating programs targeted at developing character and building habits of success through self-reflection. He has also appeared on several TV programs discussing alcohol and substance abuse, leadership skills and violence prevention.

The event is sponsored by the SWIC Diversity & Inclusion Committee. For more information about the event contact College Activities at 618-235-2700, ext. 5205.

SWIC RED BUD CAMPUS TO HOST ANNUAL POETRY CONTEST

January 15, 2020

The Southwestern Illinois College Red Bud Campus will host its annual poetry contest for area students and residents this spring.

Individuals of all ages are invited to showcase their creative abilities in the contest through poetry. Divisions for entries are as follows: adult, high school, eighth grade, seventh grade, sixth grade, fifth grade and fourth grade.

Each contestant is allowed to submit one poem and all entries must be turned in with a completed entry form by 4 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Entry forms can be found online at swic.edu/poetry-contest and submissions can be mailed to Amy Brockman at 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville, IL 62221 or turned in to the SWIC Red Bud Campus Student Development Office, Room 175.

Contestants will be recognized for their poetic excellence at an award ceremony Tuesday, April 21 at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Room. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each division. Winners will have an opportunity to share their poem during the ceremony.

For more information, call Amy Brockman at 618-235-2700, ext. 5324.

Enrollment Express is one stop for SWIC Spring 2020 enrollment/registration

December 18, 2019

By Jim Haverstick

You don’t need to miss work or skip appointments to sign up for spring classes at Southwestern Illinois College! Enrollment Express allows you to complete the enrollment and registration process, and much more, in one easy visit.

Enrollment Express will take place at the SWIC Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave., the week of Jan. 6-11, 2020. Hours will be: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Spring 2020 Semester classes begin Jan. 11, 2020.

“We realize our students are busy with work, family and other commitments so we wanted to provide a convenient way for students to complete the enrollment and registration process with one visit to campus,” said Admissions Coordinator, Katie Dawson.

If you are just getting started in the enrollment process, you can:

Apply online to start the steps to enrollment
Learn about more than 150 degree and certificate options
Take a tour of campus
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Ask questions about financial aid
Take the placement test to know where to begin

If you are already working on your steps to enrollment, you can:

Meet with an academic advisor to discuss course options
Get assistance registering for classes
Set up a payment plan or pay your tuition and fees
Find your classrooms and explore key locations on campus
Pick up your textbooks
Activate your SWIC student email and other SWIC technology
Get your student ID, parking permit and Metro pass

You can still apply, search the class schedule and register online at estorm.swic.edu anytime.

In addition, students or prospective students who have questions about the enrollment process can chat with Enrollment Services representatives via Facebook Messenger @ facebook.com/swic.edu.

For more information, call Enrollment Services at 618-235-2700, ext. 5455.

SWIC to celebrate art, film and music in Winter/Spring 2020

January 9, 2020

Experience an American Sign Language performance, view a film, gaze upon original art, enjoy a jazz music festival and listen to Southwestern Illinois College’s own Blue Storm Radio on TuneIn this winter and spring.

The college’s arts series, called the Southwestern Illinois Creative Arts Syndicate, features a variety of events ranging from an art exhibition opening for Angel Brame and Joe Page on Jan. 16, the SWIC Jazz Festival featuring guest percussionist Bill Molenhof on Feb. 22, to a filmmaker spotlight from experimental filmmaker Zlatko Cosic.

“There is something for everyone whether you’re into chamber music, love art or want to view a variety of short films by new and emerging filmmakers,” said Paula Haniszewski, Schmidt Art Center interim curator. “We want our students and the community to enjoy the arts right here in the Metro East.”

The winter/spring 2020 SWICARTS calendar is below. For details on individual events, visit swic.edu or facebook.com/swicarts.

ART
For exhibition information, visit swic.edu/theschmidt.

Jan. 16 – Exhibition Opening Reception: Angel Brame and Joe Page,
4-7 pm., The Schmidt

March 19 – Exhibition Opening Reception: High School Student Art Show & Congressional Art Competition, 6-8 p.m., The Schmidt

April 23 – Exhibition Opening Reception: SWIC Student Art & Design Show,
6-8 p.m., The Schmidt

July 9 – Exhibition Opening Reception: Senior Art Competition – Life Experienced, 4-7 p.m., The Schmidt

FILM
April 3 – Annual SWIC Student Film Screening, 7 p.m., Liberal Arts Theatre

MUSIC
For concert information, visit swic.edu/music-calendar.

Jan. 28 – St. Louis Symphony: College Connections, 12 p.m., The Schmidt

Jan. 30 – Chamber Music Recital featuring U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America, 7 p.m., The Schmidt

Feb. 9 – Faculty Recital: An Afternoon at The Opera featuring Ed Jacobs, Diana Umali and guest trumpeter Robert Souza, 3 p.m., The Schmidt

Feb. 16 – Sunday Brunch Jazz Soiree (Tickets will be on sale in College Activities), 11 a.m., The Schmidt

Feb. 22 – SWIC Jazz Festival featuring guest percussionist Bill Molenhof,
All Day, Main Complex Theatre

March 18 – SWIC Student Recital, 3 p.m., The Schmidt

March 29 – SWIC student choral ensembles and faculty instrumental soloists performance: Explore the Sound VI, 7 p.m., St. Paul United Church of Christ, 115 W. B St., Belleville

April 1 – SWIC Student Recital, 3 p.m., The Schmidt

April. 15 – SWIC Student Recital, 3 p.m., MC Theatre

May 3 – SWIC Concert Band: Yearning to Breathe Free, 3 p.m., St.Paul UCC, Belleville

May 4 – SWIC Jazz Band, 7 p.m., Main Complex Theatre

May 5 – SWIC Concert Choir & Chamber Singers: Our Little Infinity , 7 p.m.,
Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St., Belleville

May 6 – SWIC Honors Student Recital, 3 p.m., The Schmidt

May 7 – SWIC Student Recital, 7 p.m., The Schmidt

MASS COMMUNICATION

April 18 – College Radio Day, All Day, LA 1342, Listen on Blue Storm Radio on TuneIn

May 13 – High School Equivalency Graduation broadcast on Blue Storm Radio, 6-9 p.m., Listen on Blue Storm Radio on TuneIn

May 14 – Commencement Ceremonies, 6-9 p.m., Listen on Blue Storm Radio on TuneIn

SPEAKER SERIES & LITERARY EVENTS

March 25: Operatic Empathy – Puccini’s “Tosca” with Associate Professor of Music Ed Jacobs, 3 p.m., The Schmidt

April 29: Student American Sign Language Performance: Song Interpretations, 3 p.m., The Schmidt

THEATRE

April 3-4 – Spring Theatre Production: “The Laramie Project” authors Moises Kaufman and the Members of the Tectonic Theater Project, 7:30 p.m., Main Complex Theatre

April 5 – Spring Theatre Production: “The Laramie Project” authors Moises Kaufman and the Members of the Tectonic Theater Project, 2 p.m., Main Complex Theatre

SWIC Adult Ed YESS Program offers FREE help with earning your high school equivalency, finding a job and more

January 2, 2020

Did you leave high school without earning a diploma, want help preparing for college or need assistance finding a job? The Southwestern Illinois College Youth Employment and Support Services Program can get you back on track for free.

The YESS Program offers comprehensive support and educational services to people between the ages of 16 and 24, who are out of school and who reside within St. Clair and Randolph counties.

The program assists individuals with the resources to complete their high school equivalency certificate, information on how to attend college, give participants employment opportunities within their career choice and much more.

Case managers develop a formal agreement and plan of action with each participant, which includes listing barriers that may hinder them from fulfilling their educational or career goals. This ensures the participant will be better prepared for anything that happens that may get in their way of becoming self-sufficient and being successful.

The following services are available through the YESS Program:

Tutoring
High School Equivalency instruction and testing
Employment opportunities
Leadership development
Adult mentoring
Workplace Readiness training
Follow-Up services after 12 months
Comprehensive guidance and counseling
Drug and alcohol counseling referrals
Transportation assistance
Child Care referrals assistance

The YESS Program is a part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportu n ity Act,. WIOA is federally funded and was created to strengthen and improve our nation’s public workforce system by assisting Americans, including youths and those with significant barriers to employment, transition into high-quality jobs and careers. To learn more about the SWIC YESS Program, contact Karen Schaller at the Red Bud Campus at 618-210-8189.

SWIC releases fall 2019 dean’s list

January 30, 2020

The following is a list of full- and part-time students on the Southwestern Illinois College Dean’s List for the Fall 2019 Semester.

This list includes full-time students who completed 12 or more semester credits during the semester and part-time students who completed six or more semester credits during the semester while maintaining a 3.5 or higher grade point average.

The students’ names are listed alphabetically according to hometown:
SWIC Fall 2019 Dean’s List

For more information, contact SWIC Enrollment Services at 618-235-2700, ext. 5455 or 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5455.

Explore immersive environments and pottery critters at The Schmidt Art Center this winter

December 19, 2019

Starting in January, two solo exhibitions at the William and Florence Schmidt Art Center will offer art lovers a chance to escape into immersive environments with vibrant colors, reductive imagery and illustrated movements.

“Flow Chart,” a series of installations by artist Joe Page, uses deceptively simple, derivatives of early video games, pinball machines, mass transit maps and schematic diagrams. Additionally, a pottery exhibit titled, “Repurpose, Reengineer and Relocate,” will showcase pottery critters outside their normal habitats, created from vintage objects by artist Angel Brame.

The exhibitions will be displayed from Jan. 16 through Feb. 20 at The Schmidt. An opening reception will be held from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 16, with an artist talk at 6 p.m., at the art center on the Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave.

“These exhibits provide the spectator a chance to escape the confines of daily reality and have fun while doing it,” said Schmidt Interim Curator Paula Haniszewski.

For more information about these exhibitions, The Schmidt, the art center’s calendar of events and arts education programs, visit swic.edu/theschmidt or call 618-222-5ART (5278).

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